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George Eyre Powell, Edward Webb, Hon. Henry John Rous, Hon. William Waldegrave, James M‘Kean, James Leonard Few^[1], Thomas Edward Hoste, and Edward O. Pocock^[2]; Lieutenant Thomas Whaley, of the Weazle^[3]; and Mr. James Steuart, ditto^[4].

The following is a copy of the last night-order issued by Captain Hoste, while Commander O’Brien was doing the duty of first lieutenant:

“H.M.S. Bacchante, Malta, April 20th, 1813.

“Turn the hands up at day-light, let the decks be swept and swabbed, the hammocks stowed under the half-deck, the boats to go for bread, and every thing be ready for unmooring after breakfast. – Painting the quarterdeck or fore-castle out of the question, as the ship will certainly go to sea. As Captain O’Brien will most probably resign the duty of first lieutenant on the ship’s going to sea – he having been promoted to the rank of commander – to which his gallant services have so justly entitled him, I beg leave, in this most public way, to express my most sincere thanks for the ready assistance and cordial co-operation for the benefit of the service which he has at all times afforded me; and though I am sure I can bear witness that no stimulus is necessary to the exertions of the officers of this ship, yet Lieutenant O’Brien’s promotion, as it has been gained entirely by his own exertions, unassisted by interest, holds further to the remaining officers a striking example that meritorious service will meet its own reward.

“Lieutenant Hood will take on him the charge of first lieutenant whenever Captain O’Brien gives up the duty.

(Signed)“Wm. Hoste.”

On the 4th May, 1813, the plague broke out at Malta, and Captain O’Brien could find no opportunity of quitting that island until the 29th, when he embarked, and sailed for England, in the Thunder bomb, Captain Watkin Owen Pell. As we have been obliged to pass over many interesting parts of his printed narrative, without any notice whatever, we shall here transcribe two letters, which were addressed to him by Admirals Lord Radstock and Viscount Exmouth, after reading the account of his extraordinary adventures.

“Shirley Cottage, Croydon, Aug. 22, 1814.

“My dear Sir,– Your kind letter, and its accompanying valuable present although dated June the 12th, did not reach my hands until my return from

1. Drowned near Zante, when in charge of a prize.
2. Lost in a captured vessel on the coast of Apulia.
3. Died in Oct. 1920.
4. See Suppl. Part III. p. 121.